U.S. patent number 10,394,277 [Application Number 15/983,230] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-27 for electronic device with multi-angle cradling.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Jaeho Baik, Seung Ho Jang, Chung Ha Kim, Jangwoon Kim, Jun Won Lee, Hyun Keun Son.
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United States Patent |
10,394,277 |
Kim , et al. |
August 27, 2019 |
Electronic device with multi-angle cradling
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an electronic device that can be cradled at
various angles using a magnetic force and a stopper structure. An
electronic device according to various embodiments or the present
disclosure may include: a first housing having a first cover
disposed in a first direction and a second cover disposed in a
second direction opposite the first direction; a second housing
having a third cover disposed in a third direction and a fourth
cover disposed in a fourth direction opposite the third direction;
at least one first magnetic body forming a portion of the first
housing; at least one second magnetic body forming a portion of the
second housing, and configured to apply a force for maintaining a
rotatably connected state of the second housing to the first
housing using a magnetic force with the first magnetic body; a
first sliding member forming a portion of the first housing, and a
second sliding member forming a portion of the second housing to
face the first sliding member such that the second housing is
configured to be obliquely cradled to the first housing by being in
contact with the first sliding member.
Inventors: |
Kim; Chung Ha (Seoul,
KR), Kim; Jangwoon (Seoul, KR), Baik;
Jaeho (Gyeonggi-do, KR), Son; Hyun Keun (Seoul,
KR), Lee; Jun Won (Gyeonggi-do, KR), Jang;
Seung Ho (Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
(Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR)
|
Family
ID: |
64271706 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/983,230 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180335800 A1 |
Nov 22, 2018 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
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|
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May 22, 2017 [KR] |
|
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10-2017-0062899 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/1675 (20130101); G06F 1/1679 (20130101); G06F
1/1618 (20130101); H05K 5/0217 (20130101); G06F
1/1681 (20130101); H05K 5/0017 (20130101); G06F
1/1654 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/16 (20060101); H05K 5/00 (20060101); H05K
5/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2016-48520 |
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Apr 2016 |
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JP |
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10-2016-0028839 |
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Mar 2016 |
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KR |
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10-2016-0083948 |
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Jul 2016 |
|
KR |
|
Other References
International Search Report dated Aug. 31, 2018. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Cruz; Dimary Lopez
Assistant Examiner: Wright; Ingrid
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cha + Reiter, LLC.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic device comprising: a first housing having a first
cover disposed in a first direction and a second cover disposed in
a second direction opposite the first direction; a second housing
having a third cover disposed in a third direction and a fourth
cover disposed in a fourth direction opposite the third direction;
at least one first magnetic body forming a portion of the first
housing; at least one second magnetic body forming a portion of the
second housing, and configured to apply a force for maintaining a
rotatably connected state of the second housing to the first
housing using a magnetic force with the first magnetic body; a
first sliding member forming a portion of the first housing, and a
second sliding member forming a portion of the second housing to
face the first sliding member such that the second housing is
configured to be obliquely cradled to the first housing by being in
contact with the first sliding member.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing has
a plurality of first edge portions, the at least one first magnetic
body being disposed along one first edge portion, and the second
housing has a plurality of second edge portions, the at least one
second magnetic body being disposed along one second edge
portion.
3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the at least one first
magnetic bodies and the at least one second magnetic bodies are
arranged at regular intervals, respectively, and are disposed to
correspond to each other.
4. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising: a first
sliding member disposed between the at least one first magnetic
bodies, and a second sliding member disposed between the at least
one second magnetic bodies, wherein the first and second sliding
members are disposed at positions corresponding to each other.
5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein each of the at least
one first and the at least one second magnetic bodies is formed in
a cylindrical shape.
6. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first sliding
member further includes a third magnetic body and the second
sliding member further includes a fourth magnetic body facing the
third magnetic body, and an attractive force between the third and
fourth magnetic bodies provides a force for maintaining an
in-folded or out-folded state of the first and second housings.
7. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first sliding
member is made of a metal material, and includes a first
protrusion, which is disposed to be exposed to at least a portion
of a side face of a first edge portion of the first housing and is
elastically supported to be movable between first and second faces
of the first housing, the second sliding member is made of a metal
material, and includes a second protrusion, which is disposed to be
exposed to at least a portion of a side face of a second edge
portion of the second housing and is elastically supported to be
movable between third and fourth faces of the second housing, and
the second housing is obliquely cradled to the first housing by
contact between the first and second protrusions.
8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first sliding
member is supported by at least one first elastic body to move
inward from the outside of the first housing, and the second
sliding member is supported by at least one second elastic body to
move inward from the outside of the second housing.
9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein when the second
housing is obliquely cradled to the first housing, a first
protrusion protrudes from the first housing and comes into contact
with a second protrusion, and the second protrusion protrudes from
the second housing and comes into contact with the first
protrusion, so that the first and second protrusions serve as
stoppers for the second housing.
10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein when the second
housing is at an in-folded or out-folded angle with respect to the
first housing, the first protrusion is accommodated in the first
housing without being in contact with the second protrusion by a
first elastic body so as not to protrude, and the second protrusion
is accommodated in the second housing without being in contact with
the first protrusion by a second elastic body so as not to
protrude.
11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first housing has
a first display disposed on the first cover, and the second housing
has a second display disposed on the third cover such that the
first and second displays face each other in an in-folded state of
the electronic device.
12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first direction
is the same as the third direction and the second direction is the
same as the fourth direction.
13. An electronic device comprising: a first housing having a first
cover disposed in a first direction and a second cover disposed in
a second direction opposite the first direction; a second housing
having a third cover disposed in a third direction and a fourth
cover disposed in a fourth direction opposite the third direction;
one or more first magnetic bodies disposed along an edge portion of
the first housing, one or more second magnetic bodies disposed
along an edge portion of the second housing and configured to apply
a force for maintaining a rotatably connected state of the second
housing to the first housing using a magnetic force with the first
magnetic bodies; a first sliding member mounted along the edge
portion of the first housing and disposed such that at least a
portion of the first sliding member is exposed to the outside at
the edge portion of the first housing, and a second sliding member
mounted along an edge portion of the second housing and disposed
such that at least a portion of the second sliding member is
exposed at the edge portion of the second housing and faces the
first sliding member, wherein the second sliding member allows the
second housing to be obliquely cradled to the first housing by
being in contact with the first sliding member.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first sliding
member has a first exposed face, and is elastically supported so as
to be movable in parallel between the first and second covers of
the first housing, the second sliding member has a second exposed
face, and is elastically supported so as to be movable in parallel
between the third and fourth covers of the second housing, and the
second housing is obliquely fixed to the first housing by the
contact between the first and second exposed faces.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first sliding
member is supported by at least one first elastic body to move
inward of the first housing, and the second sliding member is
supported by at least one second elastic body to move inward of the
second housing.
16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein when the second
housing is obliquely cradled to the first housing, the first
exposed face protrudes from an edge portion of the first housing
and comes into contact with the second exposed face, and the second
exposed face protrudes from an edge portion of the second housing
and comes into contact with the first exposed face, so that contact
between the first and second exposed faces serves as a stopper for
the second housing.
17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein when the second
housing is at an in-folded or out-folded angle with respect to the
first housing, the first exposed face is accommodated in the first
housing without being in contact with the second exposed face by
the first elastic body so as to be flush with a surface of the edge
portion of the first housing, and the second exposed face is
accommodated in the second housing without being in contact with
the first exposed face by the second elastic body so as to be flush
with a surface of the edge portion of the second housing.
18. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first exposed
face is formed in a first curved face and is disposed to be in
contact with at least a portion of the first magnetic body, and the
second exposed face is formed in a second curved face and is
disposed to be in contact with at least a portion of the second
magnetic body.
19. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first magnetic
bodies are disposed at regular intervals along the edge portion of
the first housing, the second magnetic bodies are arranged at
regular intervals along the edge portion of the second housing and
are disposed at positions corresponding to the first magnetic
bodies, and an attractive force acts between the first and second
magnetic bodies.
20. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein each of the first
and second magnetic bodies is formed in a cylindrical shape.
21. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first housing
has a first display disposed on the first cover, and the second
housing has a second display disposed on the third cover such that
the first and second displays face each other in an in-folded state
of the electronic device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0062899, filed
on May 22, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
1) Field
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an electronic device
that can be cradled at various angles using a magnetic force and a
stopper structure.
2) Description of Related Art
The above information is presented as background information only
to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No
determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to
whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with
regard to the present disclosure.
In an electronic device including two housings (displays), when two
housings are connected using magnetic bodies, the two housings are
fixed simply using a magnetic force and are used at 0 degrees or
180 degrees.
SUMMARY
However, since the connection angles of the two housings are fixed,
it is difficult to prepare for various user situations, and it is
difficult to provide various user experiences. For example, a user
may wish to use the first housing as a keyboard, and the second
housing as the display. In such a situation, an angle between 120
and 150 degrees may be preferable.
Various embodiments are able to provide an electronic device
capable of physically connecting two housings at various angles and
maintaining a connected state using a magnetic force and a stopping
structure.
An electronic device according to various embodiments or the
present disclosure may include: a first housing having a first
cover disposed in a first direction and a second cover disposed in
a second direction opposite the first direction; a second housing
having a third cover disposed in a third direction and a fourth
cover disposed in a fourth direction opposite the third direction;
at least one first magnetic body forming a portion of the first
housing; at least one second magnetic body forming a portion of the
second housing, and configured to apply a force for maintaining a
rotatably connected state of the second housing to the first
housing using a magnetic force with the first magnetic body; a
first sliding member forming a portion of the first housing, and a
second sliding member forming a portion of the second housing to
face the first sliding member such that the second housing is
configured to be obliquely cradled to the first housing by being in
contact with the first sliding member.
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure may include: a first housing having a first
cover disposed in a first direction and a second cover disposed in
a second direction opposite the first direction; a second housing
having a third cover disposed in a third direction and a fourth
cover disposed in a fourth direction opposite the third direction;
one or more first magnetic bodies disposed along an edge portion of
the first housing, one or more second magnetic bodies disposed
along an edge portion of the second housing and configured to apply
a force for maintaining a rotatably connected state of the second
housing to the first housing using a magnetic force with the first
magnetic bodies; a first sliding member mounted along the edge
portion of the first housing and disposed such that at least a
portion of the first sliding member is exposed to the outside at
the edge portion of the first housing, and a second sliding member
mounted along an edge portion of the second housing and disposed
such that at least a portion of the second sliding member is
exposed at the edge portion of the second housing and faces the
first sliding member, wherein the second sliding member allows the
second housing to be obliquely cradled to the first housing by
being in contact with the first sliding member.
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure is able to be cradled at various angles so as to
provide various and convenient user experiences.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain
embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in a
closed state (in-folded angle);
FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in an
opened state (open angle);
FIG. 1C is a front view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments in the opened state (open
angle);
FIG. 2A is a front view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at an
in-folded angle;
FIG. 2B is a front view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at an
out-folded angle;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at a
first cradling angle in an inclined state, and FIG. 3B is a front
view thereof;
FIG. 3C is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at the
first cradling angle in the inclined state, and FIG. 3D is a front
view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating magnetic bodies and a
stopping device mounted in the electronic device according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D are side views representing
the states of respective magnetic bodies at various mounting angles
of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure, respectively;
FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a disposed
state of a connecting device and a stopping device mounted on the
electronic device according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating the connecting device
and the stopping device mounted on the electronic device according
to various embodiments;
FIG. 6C is a plan view illustrating the connecting device mounted
on the electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure in a partially cutaway state;
FIG. 7A is a side view illustrating an electronic device according
to another embodiment of the present disclosure in the closed state
(in-folded angle);
FIG. 7B is a side view illustrating an electronic device according
to still another embodiment of the present disclosure in the closed
state (in-folded angle);
FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in the
closed state (in-folded angle);
FIG. 8B is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in the
opened state (open angle);
FIG. 8C is a front view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure in the
opened state (open angle);
FIG. 9A is a front view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at an
in-folded angle;
FIG. 9B is a front view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at an
out-folded angle;
FIG. 10A is a perspective view illustrating the electronic
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure device
at a first cradling angle in an inclined state;
FIG. 10B is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at a
second cradling angle in an inclined state;
FIG. 10C is a perspective view illustrating the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure at a
second cradling angle in an inclined state;
FIG. 11A is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a disposed
state of a connecting device and a stopping device mounted on the
electronic device according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
connecting device and the stopping device mounted on the electronic
device according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 11C is a perspective view illustrating the connecting device
and the sliding device mounted on the electronic device according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 11D is a side view illustrating a stopping structure of first
and second sliding members mounted on the electronic device
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, various
embodiments of the present invention are not limited to specific
embodiments, and it should be understood that modification,
equivalent, and/or alternative on the various embodiments described
herein can be variously made. With regard to description of
drawings, similar components may be marked by similar reference
numerals.
An electronic device according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure may include at least one of smartphones, tablet
personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones,
electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook
computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants
(PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Motion Picture Experts
Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3) players, mobile
medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices (for example, smart
glasses, head-mounted-devices (HMDs), electronic apparels,
electronic bracelets, electronic necklaces, electronic accessory,
electronic tattoos, smart mirrors, or smart watches).
According to certain embodiments, the electronic devices may be
smart home appliances. The smart home appliances may include at
least one of, for example, televisions (TVs), digital video disk
(DVD) players, audios, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners,
ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, air cleaners, set-top
boxes, home automation control panels, security control panels, TV
boxes (for example, Samsung HomeSync.TM. Apple TV.TM., or Google
TV.TM.), game consoles (for example, Xbox.TM. and PlayStation.TM.)
electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, electronic
picture frames, and the like.
According to another embodiment, the electronic devices may include
at least one of medical devices (for example, various portable
medical measurement devices (for example, a blood glucose
monitoring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure
measuring device, a body temperature measuring device, and the
like), a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT), scanners, and ultrasonic
devices), navigation electronic devices, global positioning system
receivers (GPSs), event data recorders (EDRs), flight data
recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic
equipment for vessels (for example, navigation systems and
gyrocompasses), avionics, security devices, head units for
vehicles, industrial or home robots, automatic teller's machines
(ATMs) of financial institutions, points of sales (POSs) of stores,
or internet of things (for example, light bulbs, various sensors,
electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms,
thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water
tanks, heaters, boilers, and the like).
According to a certain embodiment, the electronic devices may
include at least one of a part of furniture or
buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature
receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring instruments
(for example, water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or wave
meters, and the like). The electronic devices according to various
embodiments may be one or more combinations of the above-mentioned
devices. According to a certain embodiment, an electronic device
may be a flexible electronic device. Also, electronic devices
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are not
limited to the above-mentioned devices, and may include new
electronic devices according to technology development.
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, an electronic device 100 according to
various embodiments may include a first housing 110, a second
housing 120, connected to each other by at least one magnetic body
forming a portion of the first housing and at least one second
magnetic body forming a portion of the second housing and
configured to apply a force for maintain a rotatably connected
state of the second housing to the first housing using magnetic
force with the first body. For example, the first housing 110 may
be an electronic device, and the second housing 120 may be another
electronic device. The first housing 110 may also be referred to as
a first body, a first body housing, and a first functional device.
The second housing 120 may be a device independent of the first
housing 110 and may also be referred to as a second body, a second
body housing, and a second functional device. Each of the first and
second housings 110 and 120 is independently operable and the first
and second housings 110 and 120 may be configured to communicate
with each other wirelessly.
The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may be
configured to be capable of being cradled at various angles. For
example, the electronic device 100 may be cradled with a folded
angle (closed angle), an out-folded angle, an un-folded angle (open
angle), an inclined cradling angle, etc. as an embodiment of
various angles.
The electronic device 100 according to various embodiments may
connect the first and second housings 110 and 120 using the
magnetic force of one or more magnetic bodies and may provide a
holding force at various angles. The magnetic bodies may be mounted
on or integrated with the first and second housings. For purposes
of this document, "forming a portion of" shall include both mounted
on or integrated with.
The first housing 110 according to various embodiments may have a
first cover disposed in a first direction {circle around (1)}, and
a second cover disposed in a second direction {circle around (2)}
directed in a direction opposite the first direction. For example,
the first cover may also be referred to as a first plate, a first
face, a front face, or a front cover. The second cover may also be
referred to as a second plate, a second face, a rear face, or a
back cover. The first direction {circle around (1)} may be an
upward direction, and the second direction {circle around (2)} may
be a downward direction. The first housing 110 has a first side
face between the first and second covers, and an accommodation
space may be located by being surrounded by the first side face. A
first display 115 may be disposed in the accommodation space.
In the first housing 110 according to various embodiments, the
first display 115 may be disposed such that a screen displayed to
be exposed to the first cover is visible. The first display 115 may
be located between the first and second covers. The first display
115 according to various embodiments may include a window and a
display module, or may include a window, a display module, and a
touch screen panel.
The first display 115 according to various embodiments may be
configured in a portion or a greater portion of the first cover of
the first housing 110. For example, when the first display 115 is
disposed in the greater portion of the first cover of the first
housing 110, the first display 115 may be referred to as a full
display screen.
The first display 115 according to various embodiments may display
shortcut icons, a main menu switch key, time, weather, and the like
for executing frequently used applications. The main menu switch
key may cause a menu screen to be displayed on the first display
115. In addition, a status bar may be displayed at the upper end of
the first display 115 in order to indicate the state of the
electronic device such as the battery charging status, the
intensity of a received signal, and the current time.
Although not illustrated in the figure, a first camera, an
illuminance sensor, and a proximity sensor may be disposed at an
edge of the first housing 110. A second camera, a flash, and a
speaker may be disposed on the second cover of the first housing
110.
For example, a power/reset button, a volume button, a terrestrial
DMB antenna for receiving broadcasting, one or more microphones,
etc. may be disposed on a side face of the first housing 110
according to various embodiments. The DMB antenna may be fixed to
the electronic device 100 or may be detachably formed. In addition,
a connector (not illustrated) may be mounted on the lower end side
surface of the first housing 110. The connector may be formed with
a plurality of electrodes, and may be connected to an external
device via a wire. An earphone connecting jack (not illustrated)
may be disposed on the upper end side face of the flexible device
110. An earphone may be inserted into the earphone connecting jack.
The earphone connecting jack may be disposed on the lower end side
face of the first housing 110.
The first housing 110 according to various embodiments is
approximately rectangular when viewed from above, and may include
four sides and four edge portions. For example, the first housing
110 may include first and second edge portions 110a and 110b and
third and fourth edge portions 110c and 110d between the first and
second edge portions 110a and 110b. The first and second edge
portions 110a and 110b may be upper and lower edge portions,
respectively, and the third and fourth edge portions 110c and 110d
may be left and right edge portions, respectively.
The second housing 120 according to various embodiments may be
configured at least partially or wholly the same as the first
housing 110. The second housing 120 according to various
embodiments may have a third cover disposed in a third direction
{circle around (3)}, and a fourth cover disposed in a fourth
direction {circle around (4)} directed opposite the third
direction. For example, the third cover may also be referred to as
a third plate, a third face, a front face, or a front cover. The
fourth cover may also be referred to as a fourth plate, a fourth
face, a rear face, or a back cover. The third direction {circle
around (3)} may be the upward direction, and the fourth direction
{circle around (4)} may be the downward direction. In the open
angle, first direction {circle around (1)} and third direction
{circle around (3)} may be the same and the second direction
{circle around (2)} and the fourth direction {circle around (4)}
may be the same. The second housing 120 has a second side face
between the third and fourth covers, and an accommodating space may
be located by being surrounded by the second side face. A second
display 125 may be disposed in the accommodation space.
In the first housing 120 according to various embodiments, the
second display 125 may be disposed such that a screen displayed on
the third cover is visible. The first display 125 may be located
between the third and fourth covers. At least a part or the
entirety of the second display 125 according to various embodiments
may be configured to be the same as the first display 115.
The second housing 120 according to various embodiments is
approximately rectangular when viewed from above, and may include
four sides and four edge portions. For example, the second housing
120 may include first and second edge portions 120a and 120b and
third and fourth edge portions 120c and 120d between the first and
second edge portions 120a and 120b. The first and second edge
portions 120a and 120b may be upper and lower edge portions,
respectively, and the third and fourth edge portions 120c and 120d
may be left and right edge portions, respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 2A to 3D, in the electronic device according to
various embodiments, the first and second housings, which are
independent from each other, may be connected to each other as a
single body using a magnetic force. For example, the electronic
device may be configured to be cradled at various angles using a
magnetic force. As various angular embodiments, the electronic
device may be cradled at a folding angle (closed angle), an
out-folded angle, an un-folded angle (open angle), an inclined
cradling angle, and the like.
Referring to FIG. 2A, an electronic device 200 according to various
embodiments may be at least partially or wholly the same as the
electronic device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The electronic
device 200 according to various embodiments may be configured such
that the first and second housings 210 and 220 are disposed in a
folded state at an in-folded angle, the first cover 211 of the
first housing 210 may face the third cover 221 of the second
housing 220, and the second cover 212 of the first housing 210 may
be opposed to the fourth cover 222 of the second housing 220.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the electronic device 200 according to
various embodiments may be configured such that the first and
second housings 210 and 220 are disposed in a folded state at an
out-folded angle, the second cover 212 of the first housing 210 may
face the fourth cover 222 of the second housing 220, and the first
cover 211 of the first housing 210 may be opposed to the third
cover 221 of the second housing 220.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an electronic device 300 according to
various embodiments may be at least partially or wholly the same as
the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The
electronic device 300 according to various embodiments may be
obliquely supported by the second housing 320 at an angle between
approximately 100 and 120 degrees with respect to the first housing
310 and may be maintained in the supported state. As described
later, the second housing 320 may be kept inclined to the first
housing 310 by the magnetic force of the magnetic bodies and the
stopping device 340 serving as a stopper.
Referring to FIG. 3C, the electronic device 300 according to
various embodiments may be obliquely supported by the second
housing 320 at an angle between approximately 45 and 75 degrees
with respect to the first housing 310 and may be maintained in the
supported state. As described later, the second housing 320 may be
kept inclined to the first housing 310 by the magnetic force of the
magnetic bodies and the stopping device 340 serving as a
stopper.
Referring to FIG. 4, a connecting device according to various
embodiments may be a connecting device of an electronic device
which is at least partially or wholly the same as the electronic
device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The connecting device
according to various embodiments may include a first magnetic body
431 mounted on the first housing 410 and a second magnetic body 432
mounted on the second housing 420. For example, an attraction or
repulsive force may act between the first and second magnetic
bodies 431 and 432, and an attraction force may act between the
first and second magnetic bodies 431 and 432 according to the
present disclosure.
The first housing 410 according to various embodiments may have a
first edge portion (see FIG. 1C) located at each rim. For example,
the first magnetic body 431 may be disposed along one of the first
edge portions of the first housing 410. A plurality of first
magnetic bodies 431 may be disposed along the first edge portion of
the first housing 410, and the first magnetic bodies 431 may be
disposed at regular intervals. The first magnetic bodies 431 may be
accommodated in the first edge portion of the first housing 410.
The first magnetic bodies 431 may have a cylindrical shape, but are
not limited thereto. For example, the first magnetic bodies 431 may
have a polygonal columnar shape such as a square column or a
pentagonal column. For example, each first magnetic body 431 may be
configured to include an N pole and an S pole.
The second housing 420 according to various embodiments may have a
second edge portion located at each rim. For example, the second
magnetic body 432 may be disposed along one of the second edge
portions of the second housing 420. A plurality of second magnetic
bodies 432 may be disposed along the second edge portion of the
second housing 420, and the second magnetic bodies 431 may be
disposed at regular intervals. The second magnetic bodies 432 may
be accommodated in the second edge portion of the second housing
420. The second magnetic bodies may have a cylindrical shape, but
are not limited thereto. For example, the second magnetic bodies
431 may have a polygonal columnar shape such as a square column or
a pentagonal column. For example, each second magnetic body may be
configured to include an N pole and an S pole.
The electronic device 400 according to various embodiments may be
configured to provide a force for maintaining the connected state
of the first and second housings 410 and 420 at various angles such
as an in-folded angle (closed angle), an out-folded angle, and an
open angle using the attractive force between first and second
magnetic bodies 431 and 432.
Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, the disposal of magnetic bodies
according to various cradling angles will be described. An
electronic device 500 according to various embodiments may be at
least partially or wholly the same as the electronic device 100
illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The electronic device 500 according
to various embodiments includes two independent first and second
housings 510 and 520, the connected state of which may be
maintained using a magnetic force.
Referring to FIG. 5A, when the electronic device 500 according to
various embodiments is in the in-folded angle, the first housing
510 and the second housing 520 may be disposed to overlap each
other, and the first and second magnetic bodies 531 and 532 may be
disposed such that an attractive force acts therebetween. The
magnetic force may be at least a part of the force capable of
maintaining the first housing 510 and the second housing 520 in the
overlapped state. The N pole of the first magnetic body 531 may be
disposed close to the S pole of the second magnetic body 532 and
the S pole of the first magnetic body 531 may be disposed close to
the N pole of the second magnetic body 532.
Referring to FIG. 5B, when the second housing 520 of the electronic
device 500 according to various embodiments is in the cradling
angle where the second housing 520 is obliquely cradled, the first
housing 510 and the second housing 520 may be obliquely disposed
with respect to each other, and the first magnetic body 531 and the
second magnetic body 532 may be disposed closed to each other, so
that an attractive force may act therebetween. By the magnetic
force, the first housing 510 and the second housing 520 may be
maintained in the rotably connected state, wherein the N pole of
magnet 531 and the S pole of magnet 532 cause ends of first housing
510 and second housing 520 to make contact. The N pole of the first
magnetic body 531 may be disposed close to the S pole of the second
magnetic body 532 and the S pole of the first magnetic body 531 may
be disposed remote from the N pole of the second magnetic body 532,
so that the second housing 520 can rotate about first housing 510.
A contact structure between a first protrusion 541 provided on the
first housing 510 and a second protrusion 542 provided on the
second housing 520 functions as a stopper, so that the second
housing 520 can be stopped in an inclined state with respect to the
housing 510.
Referring to FIG. 5C, when the electronic device 500 according to
various embodiments is in the open angle (un-folded angle), the
first housing 510 and the second housing 520 are disposed co-planar
to each other without being overlapped, and the first and second
magnetic bodies 531 and 532 may be disposed such that an attractive
force acts therebetween. By the magnetic force, the first housing
510 and the second housing 520 may be maintained in the co-planar
state without being overlapped. The N pole of the first magnetic
body 531 may be disposed close to the S pole of the second magnetic
body 532 and the S pole of the first magnetic body 531 may be
disposed remote from the N pole of the second magnetic body
532.
Referring to FIG. 5D, when the electronic device 500 according to
various embodiments is in the out-folded angle, the first housing
510 and the second housing 520 may be disposed to overlap each
other, and the first and second magnetic bodies 531 and 532 may be
disposed such that an attractive force acts therebetween. By the
magnetic force, the first housing 510 and the second housing 520
may be maintained in the overlapped state. The N pole of the first
magnetic body 531 may be disposed close to the S pole of the second
magnetic body 532 and the S pole of the first magnetic body 531 may
be disposed close to the N pole of the second magnetic body
532.
Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, an electronic device 600 according to
various embodiments may be at least partially or wholly the same as
the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The
electronic device 600 according to various embodiments may include
a device 640 that acts as a stopper to maintain the inclined and
cradled state of the second housing 620 when the second housing 620
is obliquely cradled to the first housing 610. Hereinafter, such a
device 640 will be referred to as a stopping device.
The stopping device 640 according to various embodiments may
include a first sliding member 641 mounted on or integrated with
the first housing 610 and a second sliding member 644 mounted on or
integrated with the second housing 620. Each of the first and 25
second sliding members 641 and 644 is made of a metal material
(e.g., an SUS material), so that an attractive force can act with
the magnetic body.
The first sliding member 641 according to various embodiments is
disposed in parallel between the first and second covers of the
first housing 610 so as to perform a sliding back and forth
movement while maintaining a state parallel to the first and second
covers. The second sliding member 644 according to various
embodiments is disposed in parallel between the third and fourth
covers of the second housing 620 so as to perform a sliding back
and forth movement while maintaining a state parallel to the third
and fourth covers.
According to various embodiments, the first housing 610 may include
a first sliding member 641 between the first magnetic bodies 631.
According to various embodiments, the second housing 620 may
include a second sliding member 644 between the second magnetic
bodies 632. The first and second sliding members 641 and 644 may
face each other and may be disposed at corresponding positions.
In the electronic device 600 according to various embodiments, when
the second housing 620 is obliquely cradled to the first housing
610, the second housing 620 can be stopped with respect to the
first housing 610 by the contact between the first and second
sliding members 641 and 644. The second housing 620 may be
obliquely connected to the first housing 610 by the magnetic force
between the first and second magnetic bodies 631 and 632 described
above. This connection force can be provided by the attractive
force between the first and second magnetic bodies 631 and 632 and
the contact between the first and second sliding members 641 and
644.
According to various embodiments, the first sliding member 641
includes a third magnetic body 643 and the second sliding member
644 further includes a fourth magnetic body 646 facing the third
magnetic body 643, so that the in-folded state or the out-folded
state of the first and second housings 610 and 620 can be
maintained by the attractive force between the third and fourth
magnetic bodies 643 and 646.
According to various embodiments, the first sliding member 641
includes a first protrusion 642, which is made of a metal material
such as an SUS material, and the first protrusion 642 may be
disposed to be exposed to at least a portion of the side face of a
first edge portion of the first housing 610. According to various
embodiments, the second sliding member 644 includes a second
protrusion 645, which is made of a metal material, and the second
protrusion 645 may be disposed to be exposed to at least a portion
of the side face of a second edge portion of the second housing
620.
In the electronic device 600 according to various embodiments, when
the second housing 620 is obliquely cradled to the first housing
610, the second housing 620 can be stopped without moving with
respect to the first housing 610 by the contact between the first
and second protrusions 642 and 645. When the second housing 620 is
obliquely cradled to the first housing 610, the first protrusion
642 protrudes from the first housing 610 and comes into contact
with the second protrusion 645, and the second protrusion 645
protrudes from the second housing 620 and comes into contact with
the first protrusion 642, so that the first and second protrusions
642 and 645 can serve as stoppers for the second housing 620.
According to various embodiments, the first sliding member 641 may
be supported by at least one first elastic body 647 to move toward
the inside of the first housing 610 and the second sliding member
644 may be supported by at least one second elastic body 648 to
move toward the inside of the second housing 620.
When the second housing 620 is in the in-folded or out-folded angle
with respect to the first housing 610, the first protrusion 642 may
be disposed so as not to come into contact with the second
protrusion 645 by the first elastic body 647 and to be accommodated
in the first housing 610 without protruding, and the second
protrusion 645 may be disposed so as not to come into contact with
the first protrusion 642 by the second elastic body 648 and to be
accommodated in the second housing 620 without protruding.
Referring to FIG. 7A, an electronic device 700 according to various
embodiments has some components which are the same as those of the
electronic device 500 illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D. Thus,
descriptions of the same components will be omitted in order to
avoid redundant description, and only the difference therebetween
will be described.
The electronic device 700 according to various embodiments may
include three housings, i.e. first, second, and third housings 710,
720, and 730, first and second stopping devices, and first and
second connecting devices. Descriptions of the configurations of
the first and second housings 710 and 720, the first connecting
device, and the first stopping device of the electronic device
according to various embodiments will be omitted because they are
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
In the electronic device 700 according to various embodiments, the
third housing 730 may be connected to the second housing 720 by the
second connecting device. The second connecting device may be
configured to be the same as the first connecting device that
connects the first and second housings 710 and 720 to each other.
The second connecting device may include third and third magnetic
bodies 733 and 734 and a second stopping device (not illustrated).
The second stopping device may be configured to be the same as the
first stopping device 640 illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C.
Referring to FIG. 7B, an electronic device 700 according to various
embodiments has some components which are the same as those of the
electronic device illustrated in FIG. 7A. Thus, descriptions of the
same components will be omitted in order to avoid redundant
description, and only the difference therebetween will be
described.
The electronic device 700 according to various embodiments may
include four housings, i.e. first, second, third, and fourth
housings 710, 720, 730, and 740, first, second, and third stopping
devices, and first, second, and third connecting devices.
Descriptions of the configurations of the first, second, and third
housings, the first, second, and third connecting devices, and the
first and second stopping devices of the electronic device 700
according to various embodiments will be omitted because they are
described in detail with reference to FIG. 7A.
In the electronic device 700 according to various embodiments, the
fourth housing 740 may be connected to the third housing 730 by the
third connecting device. The third connecting device may be
configured to be the same as the first connecting device that
connects the first and second housings 710 and 720 to each other
and the second connecting device that connects the second and third
housings 720 and 730 to each other. The third connecting device may
include fifth and sixth magnetic bodies 735 and 736 and a third
stopping device (not illustrated). The third stopping device may be
configured to be the same as the first stopping device illustrated
in FIGS. 6A to 6C.
Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, an electronic device 800 according to
various embodiments may be at least partially the same as the
electronic device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. The electronic
device 800 according to various embodiments has some components
which are the same as those of the electronic device 100
illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. Thus, detailed descriptions of the
same components will be omitted, and only the difference
therebetween will be described.
The electronic device 800 according to various embodiments may
include first and second housings 810 and 820, a connecting device
that connects the first and second housings 810 and 820 to each
other, and a stopping device that stops the second housing 820 with
respect to the first housing 810. Since the first and second
housings 810 and 820 illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C are the same as
the first and second housings 110 and 120 illustrated in FIGS. 1A
to 1C, respectively, a detailed description thereof may be
omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 9A to 10C, in the electronic device according to
various embodiments, the first and second housings, which are
independent from each other, may be connected to each other as a
single body using a magnetic force.
For example, the electronic device may be configured to be cradled
at various angles using a magnetic force and a stopping device. As
various angular embodiments, the electronic device may be cradled
at a folding angle (closed angle), an out-folded angle, an
un-folded angle (open angle), an inclined cradling angle, and the
like.
Referring to FIG. 9A, an electronic device 900 according to various
embodiments may be at least partially or wholly the same as the
electronic device 800 illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C. The electronic
device 900 according to various embodiments may be configured such
that the first and second housings 910 and 920 are disposed in a
folded state at an in-folded angle, the first cover 911 of the
first housing 910 may face the third cover 921 of the second
housing 920, and the second cover 912 of the first housing 910 may
be opposed to the fourth cover 922 of the second housing 920.
Referring to FIG. 9B, the electronic device 900 according to
various embodiments may be configured such that the first and
second housings 910 and 920 are disposed in a folded state at an
out-folded angle, the second cover 912 of the first housing 910 may
face the fourth cover 922 of the second housing 920, and the first
cover 911 of the first housing 910 may be opposed to the third
cover 921 of the second housing 920.
Referring to FIG. 10A, an electronic device 1000 according to
various embodiments may be at least partially or wholly the same as
the electronic device 800 illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C. The
electronic device 1000 according to various embodiments may be
obliquely supported by the second housing 1020 at an angle between
approximately 100 and 120 degrees with respect to the first housing
1010 and may be maintained in the supported state. The second
housing 1020 may be kept inclined to the first housing 1010 by the
magnetic force of a magnetic body and a stopping device serving as
a stopper.
Referring to FIGS. 10B and 10C, the electronic device 1000
according to various embodiments may be obliquely supported by the
second housing 1020 at an angle between approximately 45 and 75
degrees with respect to the first housing 1010 and may be
maintained in the supported state. The second housing 1020 may be
kept inclined to the first housing 1010 by the magnetic force of
the magnetic bodies and the stopping device 1040 serving as a
stopper.
Referring to FIGS. 11A to 11D, an electronic device 1100 according
to various embodiments may be at least partially the same as the
electronic device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8C. The connecting
devices provided in the electronic device 1100 according to various
embodiments may include first and second magnetic bodies 1131 and
1132 that are attracted to each other. According to various
embodiments, one or more first magnetic bodies 1131 may be disposed
at regular intervals along an edge portion of the first housing
1110 and one or more second magnetic bodies 1132 may be disposed at
regular intervals along the edge portion of the second housing 1120
and at positions corresponding to the first magnetic bodies 1131.
However, the first magnetic bodies and the second magnetic bodies
may not be disposed at regular intervals, and may be disposed to
face each other.
The second magnetic bodies 1132 generate a magnetic force (e.g., an
attractive force) with the first magnetic bodies 1131, so that the
first and second housings 1110 and 1120 can be connected to each
other at various angles. The first magnetic bodies 1131 and the
second magnetic bodies 1132 may be configured N-pole magnetic
bodies and S-pole magnetic bodies, respectively. In addition, each
of the first and second magnetic bodies 1131, 1132 may have a
cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, the
first magnetic bodies 1131 may have a polygonal columnar shape such
as a square column or a pentagonal column.
The electronic device 1100 according to various embodiments may
include a first sliding member 1141 disposed in the first housing
1110 and a second sliding member 1142 disposed in the second
housing 1120. The first sliding member 1141 may be mounted along
one first edge portion of the first housing 1110 such that at least
a portion of the first sliding member 1141 is exposed in the outer
surface of the first edge portion of the first housing 1110.
The second sliding member 1142 according to various embodiments may
be mounted along one second edge portion of the second housing 1120
such that at least a portion of the second sliding member 1142 is
exposed in the outer surface of the second edge portion of the
second housing 1120.
The first sliding member 1141 according to various embodiments may
have a first exposed face 1141a and may be elastically supported so
as to be movable in parallel between first and second covers of the
first housing 1110. The second sliding member 1142 according to
various embodiments may have a second exposed face 1142a and may be
elastically supported so as to be movable in parallel between third
and fourth covers of the first housing 1120. The first sliding
member 1141 may be supported by at least one elastic body 1150 to
move toward the inside of the first housing 1110 and the second
sliding member 1142 may be supported by the at least one elastic
body 1150 to move toward the inside of the second housing 1120.
Since the electronic device 1100 according to various embodiments
is configured such that, when the second housing 1120 is obliquely
cradled to the first housing 110, the first exposed face 1141a
protrudes from the edge portion of the first housing 1110 to be in
contact with the second exposed face 1142a and the second exposed
face 1142a protrudes from the edge portion of the second housing
1120 to be in contact with the first exposed face 1141a, the
contact between the first and second protrusions 1141a and 1142a is
able to serve as a stopper of the second housing 1120.
The electronic device 1100 according to various embodiments may be
configured such that when the second housing 1120 is in the
in-folded or out-folded angle to the first housing 1110, the first
exposed surface 1141a is accommodated in the first housing 1110
without being in contact with the second exposed face 1142a by the
first elastic body 1150, thereby being disposed to be flush with
the surface of an edge portion of the first housing 1110, and the
second exposed face 1142a is accommodated in the second housing
1110 without being in contact with the first exposed face 1141a by
the second elastic body 1150, thereby being disposed to be flush
with the surface of an edge portion of the second housing 1120.
The first exposed face 1141a according to various embodiments is
configured as a first curved face and may be disposed to be in
contact with at least a portion of the first magnetic body 1131,
and the second exposed face 1142a is configured as a second curved
surface and may be disposed to be in contact with at least a
portion of the second magnetic body 1132. The first curved face may
be configured with or without a curvature. The second curved face
may be configured with or without a curvature. The first and second
curved faces may have the same or different curvatures.
The inner face of the first exposed face 1141a may be in contact
with at least a portion of the outer circumferential face of the
first magnetic body 1131. The inner face of the second exposed face
1142a may be in contact with at least a portion of the outer
circumferential face of the second magnetic body 1132. Since the
first curved face is made of a metal material, the first curved
face and the first magnetic body 1131 may be kept in contact with
each other by the attractive force acting therebetween, and since
the second curved face is also made of a metal material, the
contact state may be kept in contact with each other by the
attractive force acting therebetween.
When the second housing 1120 is in the state of being obliquely
connected to the first housing 1110, the attractive force between
the first and second exposed faces 1141a and 1142a is greater than
the attractive force between the first exposed face 1141a and the
first magnetic body 1131 and greater than the attractive force
between the second exposed face 1142a and the second magnetic body
1132. Thus, the first and second exposed faces 1141a and 1142a is
able to move in a direction approaching each other and then come in
contact with each other so that the inclined state of the second
housing 1120 can be stopped.
Meanwhile, the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification
and drawings are merely presented to easily describe the technical
contents of the present disclosure and help with the understanding
of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope
of the present disclosure. Therefore, all changes or modifications
derived from the technical idea of the present disclosure as well
as the embodiments described herein should be interpreted to belong
to the scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *